When most people think of massage, they think of an indulgent experience that you undergo when you want to relax. This is certainly not incorrect. Massages can be very relaxing, and they do make you feel pampered. But they can do a lot more than that. Massages can help heal sore and injured muscles, and they can alleviate stress, which helps fight a huge array of ailments, from insomnia to poor digestion. The more you learn about massage and its benefits, the more amazing it becomes. Start learning by reading some of the many massage-related articles here on our website.
If you have pain radiating down your lower back and legs, you may be suffering from sciatica. Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve—which runs down your lower back to your buttocks and legs—becomes compressed and irritated. Besides pain, sciatica can cause muscle weakness and numbness. You'll want to consult with your doctor to get a diagnosis if you suspect that you have sciatica. He or she can also discuss treatment options. One treatment you might like to try is massage therapy. Here are three benefits of using massage therapy to treat this issue.
You Can Treat Your Pain Without Drugs or Invasive Procedures
If sciatica symptoms aren't taken care of, then some people may become reliant on pain relievers. Sciatica can also get progressively worse if it's not treated, so some people may need steroid injections or even surgical operations, like laminectomies. During these types of surgeries, portions of the vertebrae are removed to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
However, you can avoid heavy mediation usage and invasive surgery if you stay proactive and get help early. Massage therapy is a non-invasive way to find pain relief. One study found that people with lower back pain were able to find pain relief with deep tissue massage. During a massage, your body releases endorphins, which are hormones that decrease pain and make you feel good.
You Can Reduce Secondary Symptoms
Some people with sciatica develop a secondary condition called central sensitization. Central sensitization causes the nervous system to be highly reactive, which may lead to chronic pain, anxiety, depression, poor sleep, and fatigue. However, studies show that some secondary issues can improve with massage treatments. This may be because massage therapy triggers serotonin release. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel calmer, so you may be able to get better sleep and reduce your anxiety levels.
You Can Find a Technique to Suit Your Needs
Massage therapy is great for sciatica because multiple techniques can be effective at treating pain, so you can choose a therapy based on personal preference. For example, some people really like deep pressure, so they may prefer myofascial release or deep tissue massage. Some patients may prefer gentle pressure with more kneading movements, so Swedish massage may be better for these people.
You and your massage therapist can find a technique that suits your needs. Whatever technique you choose, the massage should help to relax tight muscles that may be placing pressure on the sciatic nerve. To treat your sciatic pain, have your massage therapist focus on the piriformis, lumbar paraspinal muscles, and gluteal muscles.
Contact a massage therapist in your area today for more information.
Share18 February 2020
